The horror genre hasn’t had the best start in 2024. With disappointingly dreadful entries like Imaginary and Night Swim, it seemed like the genre was in desperate need of a revival. Enter Michael Mohan’s Immaculate, a film that doesn’t shy away from the genre’s conventions but instead serves as a beacon of hope for horror in 2024.
Immaculate is an unholy and unhinged feast of sheer terror. Both cerebral and terrifying, the film embraces its religious undertones to deliver its spin on Rosemary’s Baby with one of the most “holy shit” finales in mainstream horror in quite some time.
The story follows Sister Cecilia’s journey to a convent in Italy after turning to religion at a young age following a traumatic incident. Little does Cecilia know, her trip to the Italian countryside won’t be the spiritual retreat she hoped for, as dark secrets lurk within the walls of the supposedly divine convent.
Screenwriter Andrew Lobel’s script may not win any awards for originality, as it follows the conventions of horror films past. However, Lobel effectively blends these ideas to create a demonic hybrid of some of our favorite horror classics. Ever wondered what a mashup of Suspiria and Rosemary’s Baby would look like? Immaculate has the answer.
Lobel’s script relies on traditional jump scares, but when they hit, they pack a punch, adding to the eventual, albeit somewhat predictable, twist. Mohan’s direction and Sydney Sweeney’s dedicated performance elevate Lobel’s script even further.
Sweeney, whose career has been on the rise since Euphoria, delivers a dark and multi-layered performance that showcases her growth as an actress. She brings a rawness and authenticity to Cecilia’s journey that makes it impossible not to root for her. It’s one of Sweeney’s standout performances to date.
While the supporting cast may not leave as lasting an impression as Sweeney, it’s always a pleasure to see Álvaro Perez and Simona Tabasco on screen, with both delivering memorable sequences.
Visually, Immaculate‘s cinematography is stunning. Elisha Christian’s lens captures the eerie atmosphere of Cecilia’s journey while still finding moments of beauty amidst the gruesome and violent nature of the story.
Clocking in at a brisk 89 minutes, Immaculate doesn’t overstay its welcome, making it the perfect length for a horror film of its kind. While Mohan and Lobel don’t reinvent the wheel, they’ve crafted a film that sparks lasting conversations and features a standout performance from Sydney Sweeney. For that, horror fans can offer a prayer of thanks and gratitude.
